Detection of Various Microplastics in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series analyzing human tissue and blood samples
PubMed 37440474 · doi:10.1021/acs.est.2c07179
What was done
Researchers evaluated tissue and blood samples from 15 cardiac surgery patients using laser direct infrared chemical imaging and scanning electron microscopy to detect microplastics. Samples evaluated included 6 pericardial specimens, 6 epicardial adipose tissue specimens, 11 pericardial adipose tissue specimens, 3 myocardial specimens, 5 left atrial appendages, and 7 pairs of matched pre- and postoperative venous blood samples.
What was found
Microplastics were not universally present in all tissue samples. Nine types of microplastics were found across five tissue types, with the largest measuring 469 μm in diameter. Nine types were also detected in pre- and postoperative blood samples with a maximum diameter of 184 μm, and type and diameter distributions shifted after surgery. Poly(methyl methacrylate) was detected in the left atrial appendage, epicardial adipose tissue, and pericardial adipose tissue.
Why it matters
This study provides direct evidence that microplastics can reach enclosed human organs and cardiac tissues, expanding findings beyond organ systems with direct environmental exposure.
Limits
The sample size is very small (15 patients), with very few specimens for certain tissues (such as 3 myocardium samples). The abstract does not report exact numerical concentrations or quantities of particles per sample. Perioperative contamination cannot be fully ruled out for all plastic types, and clinical consequences were not assessed.
Cited by
- supports Microplastic counts in blood increase after cardiac surgery compared to before surgery.